Prince George, B.C. -Education Minister Peter Fassbender has issued a statement following the completion of talks today with BCTF president Jim Iker.

In it Fassbender says he’s proposed three specific steps to reach a settlement to ensure students return to school on time next week.

They include asking the parties to “set aside the matter of potential grievances stemming from Justice Griffin’s decision.”

He says “the demand on potential grievances is nearly a quarter of a billion dollars a year. This matter is before the courts and will be addressed through the appeals process.”

Secondly, he’s urging both parties to agree to mediation as soon as possible and thirdly he’s asked the BCTF and BCPSEA  for a “cooling off” period.

In other words he’s asking both parties to suspend all strike or lockout activities for two weeks once Vince Ready starts mediation.

Fassbender concludes by saying his government has no plan to legislate an end to the dispute and isn’t asking the BCTF or BCPSEA to give up their right to strike or lockout.

The BCTF meanwhile hasn’t released a statement on today’s talks.